Our View: Pulling in one direction

A good education can be had at New Bedford High School, but it doesn't happen for as many students as it must, as reflected in the state's designation of the school as a Level 4, or underperforming, school this September.

Comment

southcoasttoday.com

Writer

Posted Oct. 17, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Posted Oct. 17, 2013 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

A good education can be had at New Bedford High School, but it doesn't happen for as many students as it must, as reflected in the state's designation of the school as a Level 4, or underperforming, school this September.

A 13-member Local Stakeholders Group met Tuesday night to begin the process of identifying the reasons for underperformance and to advise the superintendent on how to turn things around.

Poor MCAS scores, and alarming dropout and graduation and suspension rates are indicators of the underperformance. Getting at their causes is the work of the group. Turning it around will be in the hands of Superintendent Pia Durkin.

Durkin left the group to its work Tuesday after making initial comments, laying out for them the scope of the challenge: classroom computer shortages, inadequate phone systems, too few copy machines, a lack of wi-fi, ineffective discipline practices and other personnel, equipment and administrative shortcomings that have so stubbornly and thoroughly hampered academic achievement.

The makeup of the group is reason for encouragement. It is populated by members chosen by the state, the mayor, the School Committee, the union, the faculty and the community. Social service and workforce development are represented as well. Its goal is to give Durkin a set of recommendations within 45 days, and it aims to deliver a report with a full consensus.

Durkin's challenge with the high school — to raise achievement so that every student graduates and is prepared for the next step of life as a happy, productive member of society — is the latest blindside hit as she works to turn around an underperforming district of more than 12,000 students:

Two Level 4 elementary schools; a $3 million deficit and its impact on staff and programs; and a high school where "This has been years of not really focusing on the basics," as she said Tuesday after her remarks to the stakeholders.

She remains undaunted, confident and focused.

New Bedford is long past the time for sniping and political jockeying at the expense of the students in its schools.

The necessity of Durkin's success should be beyond doubt. We urge every stakeholder to observe the work of this group, and to themselves offer constructive — not capitulative — support so the turnaround can succeed as quickly as possible.